`Lust Formed the Murder' of Teacher from St. Louis, Attorney Says at Trial

`Lust Formed the Murder' of Teacher from St. Louis, Attorney Says at Trial

Article excerpt

Prosecutors tried to turn the words of friends and lovers
against a banker's daughter and a man she allegedly consorted with
in the death of her husband.

Shayne Mills Lovera, 29, is charged with first-degree murder in
the 1994 slaying of her husband Kelly Joe Lovera, 33, a math
professor at Pellissippi State Technical Community College in
Knoxville.

Kelly Joe Lovera grew up in St. Louis and received his
bachelor's degree from the University of Missouri at Columbia. He
then taught at Kirkwood High School and Berkeley High School. He
moved to Tennessee in 1988 to continue his education.

Standing trial with Shayne Lovera on the same charge is Brett
Rae, 26.

"Lust formed the murder," District Attorney Al Schmutzer said,
though an insurance policy of almost $70,000also was a factor.

Kelly Lovera's body was found in his Jeep at the bottom of a
100-foot embankment in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Prosecutors contend the crash was made to look like an accident.

Dr. Cleland Blake, a forensic pathologist, testified that
Tennessee Bureau of Investigation experts matched blood stains
found at the Loveras' apartment - on the sofa, living room wall,
children's window and Shayne Lovera's tennis shoes - with the
victim's. …